The Lion's Game

By: Nelson DeMille

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 24 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

To survive in a game with no rules at all, John Corey must invent a strategy that includes no luck at all. The hero of DeMille's No. 1 New York Times best seller, Plum Island, Corey has been through a lot, not the least of which was surviving three bullet wounds while serving on the NYPD. Now he signs on with the government's Anti-Terrorist Task Force in an attempt to stop an alleged Libyan terrorist known simply as "The Lion".

The Lion has the instincts of a wild animal, the bloodlust of a carnivore, and the boldness and speed of a cat of prey. And now he's loose in America. Can John Corey stop him? Or has his allotment of luck just run out? Nelson DeMille spins an epic tale of heart-pounding suspense.

©2000 Nelson DeMille (P)2000 Books on Tape and Time Warner AudioBooks

Critic reviews

"Well worth hearing." ( Book)

"DeMille has created the kind of rambunctious hero that readers will want to see again." ( Chicago Tribune)

"Sexy, humorous, fast-paced." ( Washington Post)

Brick and Corey - A match made in Long Island

I'd read books by DeMille previously, but this was one of my early Audible purchases, and the book that sold me hard on Scott Brick as an unabridged narrator. I'd listened to him previously on the massive saga "The Company," but Brick and DeMille's John Corey are one of those pairings that cannot be unheard - once you've been exposed, Brick IS John Corey, now and forever. The following books in the series are just as good, though Corey is not the most ... enlightened combatant in the war on terror. For some, that's a bug. For others? A feature. Some folks really want a knuckle-dragging troglodyte on that wall, and for us, John Corey is the patron saint of avenging angels.

My only confusion is that I just got a notice (May 15, 2018) that this book was newly available from Booktrack...when I bought it back in May 2011 as a Hachette Audio recording. I'm not sure if it's a reissue under a new publisher, but the sample of the 2018 release also includes background music and the narration is slightly different, so it may be a new recording. I liked the new sample, so if you're considering the book, give both versions a try and see which speaks to you more. Either way, the story is a winner.

Not great, but certainly entertaining

I was a fan of Mayday, an airline disaster novel that I had listened to years ago, and will probably at some point buy here on Audible so that I have a copy of my own to re-listen to. When I saw Mr. Demille's name on the featured list, I decided to finally delve into another of his books. The reader certainly made this one for me. I thought it had some interesting moments, but at times, some things happened a bit too fast, and the story had a few inconsistencies of tone. Overall however, it was an entertaining read.

Great Thriller

This was my first listen of a Nelson DeMille book and I will listen to more. If the story wasn't enough, the narration was excellent!!

This thriller takes us across the country and even has the ability to weave in a love story.

It is realistic, thrilling, complex enough to keep you on the edge of your seat, and humorous. A worthy purchase.

Awesome!!!

There's a reason why this is "essential" from Audible....a GREAT pre 9/11 book! Buy with confidence!

Loved the book

Just as good as plum island. Weird going back before 911 and the loss of the twin towers, prior flying rules and lack of security. Great great book. Ready for number 3!!!!

Can't Put My Headphones Down

This is my first DeMille novel and I can't wait to try another. Fantastic listen, you can't go wrong.

Tell me how it ends!

If you could sum up The Lion's Game in three words, what would they be?

What a story!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Clearly the main character, John Corey, is definitely likeable and fascinating. Do I think I would want to work with someone with such a smart mouth all the time? No but I'm not working with him, I'm just reading about him. He's smart, insightful, irreverent and funny but he's also driven by deeply held personal beliefs. He lives and fights for people even while he disdains so many of them and their foibles.

Have you listened to any of Scott Brick’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

To my best recollection, this is the first Scott Brick performance I've listened to but I will look for other books he's narrated. He is absolutely top-notch in his performance of this book.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The whole book was gripping but I can't pinpoint any particular moments that affected me more than others. This book is definitely more than the sum of its parts!

Any additional comments?

Buy this book and then buy the The Lion! You won't regret it!

Wise-ass cop just a bit too much

Good story but John Corey, the main character, was just a bit too much of a wise-ass for my liking. He was always right, where his FBI and CIA colleagues were wrong, so he had to break all the rules to prove he was right, which fuelled his unending supply of clever, witty comments. I'd like to listen to the next book of the series, but I need a rest from this guy.

John Correy should be a comedian

The main character of this book had me cracking up the the entire time. The book is great the plot is well developed and although the subject matter is eerie considering what happened on 9/11 it was at the same time, I felt, light enough to enjoy yourself all the way through. The presenter's voice was pleasing and anyone who has listened their way through Shogun knows how painful it can be when their voice isn't pleasing. A great Listen, why dont you have charm school on here?

Clever and wicked terrorist on the loose

Fast paced with excellent narration. Characters well described and developed. Plenty of murders by a cold blooded and evil Libyan assassin. Cocky and foul mouthed New York City cop protagonist who always had pretty women and sex on his mind but was still somehow endearing even though I am from the midwest, which he continually disparaged. Five stars since it really held my attention right up to the end.